Magazine for photoconductive elements

ABSTRACT

A magazine is provided for storage of photoconductive elements in a light-tight condition prior to insertion into an electrophotographic apparatus and is used to dispense the photoconductive elements seriatim into the electrophotographic apparatus for use. The magazine comprises a generally U-shaped housing having opposed side walls interconnected by an end wall, the side walls being provided with corrugations or slots for supporting the photoconductive element. Each side wall is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending parallel slots for receiving drive shafts of conveyor rollers in the electrophotographic apparatus as the elements are dispensed into the apparatus. Thus, as the elements are dispensed, the housing will slide down over the conveyor rollers to permit the next higher photoconductive element in the housing to be dispensed. An intermediate box is provided for receiving the housing prior to use to protect the elements for the light. Also, an outer box can be provided which extends over the housing the inner box to completely enclose the housing, for shipping. Conveniently, the housing is mounted to rest on idler rollers on a portion of the conveyor system which is at an acute angle to horizontally allow the housing to slide down over the conveyor rollers by gravity as the photoconductive chips are dispensed by the rollers.

United States Patent [151 3,658,321 [451 Apr. 25, 1972 [211 App]. No.: 52,154

[52] U.S. Cl .i.271/6l, 95/25, 221/88, 271/41 [5 l] lnt. Cl ..B65h 1/06 [58] Field ofSearch ..27l/4l,-61,62, 39, 44, 35, 271/30, 32, 24; 221/87, 88, 79; 95/19, 25, 26, 30

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 472,442 4/1892 LEplattenier ..95/25 3,091,160 5/1963 Crumrine et al. .....95/1 .7 3,249,033 5/1966 Cobb et a1. ..95/19 996,012 6/1911 Franke ..27l/32 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATIONS 713,952 7/1965 Canada ..271/35 Primary Examiner-J. Wegbreit Assistant Examiner-Bruce l-l. Stoner, .lr. Attorney-Robert W. Hampton and Gary D. Fields 57 ABSTRACT A magazine is provided for storage of photoconductive elements in a light-tight condition prior to insertion into an electrophotographic apparatus and is used to dispense the photoconductive elements seriatim into the electrophotographic apparatus for use. The magazine comprises a generally U-shaped housing having opposed side walls interconnected by an end wall, the side walls being provided with corrugations or slots for supporting the photoconductive element. Each side wall is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending parallel slots for receiving drive shafts of conveyor rollers in the electrophotographic apparatus as the elements are dispensed into the apparatus. Thus, as the elements are dispensed, the housing will slide down over the conveyor rollers to permit the next higher photoconductive element in the housing to be dispensed. An intermediate box is provided for receiving the housing prior to use to protect the elements for the light. Also, an outer box can be provided which extends over the housing the inner box to completely enclose the housing, for shipping. Conveniently, the housing is mounted to rest on-idler rollers on a portion of the conveyor system which is at an acute angle to horizontally allow the housing to slide down over the conveyor rollers by gravity as the photoconductive chips are dispensed by the rollers.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAPR 25 I972 3, 658 321 SHEET 2 BF 2 OLIVER W. GNAGE INVENTOR. @A 3M BY flaw) ATTORNEYS MAGAZINE FOR PHOTOCONDUCTIVE ELEMENTS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a magazine for storing and dispensing a stack of elements, and more particularly to a device for storing and dispensing photoconductive elements into an endless conveyor system of an electrophotographic apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art In commonly assigned copending US. application Ser. No. 741,359, entitled Method and Apparatus for Making Composite Electrophotographic Prints, to John S. Pollock, filed July 1, 1968, a method and device are disclosed for making electrophotographic multiple color prints wherein photoconductive elements or chips in separate stacks or sets are charged and exposed to each of a plurality of color separation images projected from an original. An electrostatic latent thus formed on each of the exposed chips is developed and transferred to a receiver in a predetermined cycle with respect to the other chips wherein the separate images are placed on the receiver in registry to form a composite color print. In each embodiment, the chips move through charging stations,

developing stations, transfer stations, cleaning stations, and finally to a storage station. In order to provide proper time exposure of the chips and proper registry the chips move through the various stations at different rates depending upon contrast and color of the original image. Conveniently, such an apparatus may include a storage chamber to hold extra chips to compensate for variations in the time in which particular chip makes a complete cycle.

After extensive use the chips become scratched and fatigued and must be replaced. After removal of the chips, means is needed to supply a fresh set of electrophotographic elements to the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a magazine is provided which includes a generally U-shaped housing for supporting a plurality of substantially flat photoconductive elements wherein the housing has a pair of opposed side walls interconnected by an end wall and includes means for supporting the elements within the housing and has slot defining means in each of the opposed side walls for receiving a portion of a conveyor means of an electrophotographic apparatus.

More particularly, the magazine includes a generally U- shaped housing which is provided with corrugations along the opposed side walls thereof for supporting a plurality of photoconductive chips in spaced relationship within the housing. This housing is receivable within an inner box from which the housing and chips may be dispensed during use or both the housing and inner box may be contained within an outer box for storage and/or shipment. Each side wall is provided with a pair of slots for receiving shafts of magnetic feed rollers on the conveyor which advance the chips out of the housing and into the application. A portion of the conveyor of the electrophotographic apparatus is on a plane at an acute angle to horizontal and is provided, in one embodiment, with a series of idler rollers extending generally perpendicular to this plane for supporting the housing. As the chips are fed seriatum from the housing, the housing will move downwardly along the idler rollers to bring the next chip into contact with the conveyor rollers. In another embodiment the inner box is inserted in the apparatus with the housing, but the inner box is held in a stationary position as the housing slides, due to gravity, out of the inner box as the photoconductive chips are dispensed.

Additional advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description which follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of an electrophotographic apparatus having a chamber for holding a magazine for storage and supply of flat photoconductive elements;

FIG. 1a is a fragmentary view of the electrophotographic device of FIG. 1, showing an alternative magazine chamber; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, with parts broken away for clarity of illustration, of the magazine of FIGS. 1 and la.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In commonly assigned copending US. application Ser. No. 741,459 entitled Method and Aparatus For Making Composite Electrophotographic Prints to John S. Pollock, filed July 1, 1968. An apparatus is disclosed for making electrophotographic color prints from color separation originals wherein the originals are exposed for varying lengths of time to compensate for differences in photoconductive speed to different color ranges and to differences in contrast of the originals from which the prints are to be made. In the systems disclosed in that application the photoconductive elements or chips are fed through an endless cycle. These photoconductive elements are stored in a storage chamber and fed from the bottom thereof into a charging station and subsequently to an exposure station, a developing station, a transfer station, a cleaning station, and back to the upper end of the storage chamber.

Such a system S is disclosed schematically in FIG. 1 wherein a plurality of photoconductive elements or chips 3 are stored from a storage chamber or compartment 2. Chips 3 are received in the storage compartment at the upper end thereof and are held in a generally horizontal position by spaced guide rails such as guide rail 4 and sloping rear wall 5 of chamber 2 as they are fed by gravity to the lower end of the storage compartment where they are stacked as described in my commonly assigned copending US. application Ser. No. 52,152 entitled Gravity-fed Storage Device, filed on even date herewith. The chips are then fed seriatim from the bottom of the storage compartment by a pusher mechanism 6 and advanced by a conveyor system which includes a plurality of spaced rollers 8, which may be magnetic rollers as disclosed more fully in commonly assigned copending US. application Ser. No. 52,153, entitled Magnetic Conveyor System to Oliver W. Gnage and Gordon F. Connelly, filed on even date herewith. The photoconductive chips are fed by magnetic rollers 8, mounted on shafts 9, past a charging station 10, such as a corona charging device, to place a generally uniform electrostatic charge on the photoconductive surface thereof and onto a multi-sided magnetic roller 12 which changes the direction of the chip to cause it to be moved by additional rollers 8 to a lower plane. The chip again changes direction upon coming in contact with a further multisurfaced roller 12 so that it begins moving in a direction opposite to its initial direction to an exposure station 14 where the charged surface is exposed to an image from an original 16 which is illustrated as being illuminated by light sources 18. The electrostatic image thus formed, due to dissipation of the electrostatic charge in the exposed areas, is developed at a developing station 20 and this image is transferred to a suitable receiver (not shown) at a transfer station 22. After transfer the photoconductive chip is fed by a series of rollers 8 and 12 to a cleaning station 24 to remove any residual toner particles from the surface of the photoconductive chip prior to being fed by upper and lower pressure rollers 26 and 27, respectively, into the top of storage compartment 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the rollers 8 are arranged in an endless circuitous path and includes a conveyor section lying along a plane 28 which is at an angle to the horizontal and is provided with a plurality of idler rollers 30 generally perpendicular to plane 28 for supporting a housing 32 of a magazine M containing a plurality of photoconductive chips to be placed onto the conveyor. Conveniently, the electrophotographic apparatus may include chamber 33 having a hinged door 34 which may be swung to an open position for inserting the housing.

As best seen in FIG. 2, housing 32 is U-shaped in configuration, having a pair of opposed side walls 36 and 38 interconnected by an end wall 40. Each side wall has a pair of spaced longitudinal slots 42 and 44, respectively, for receiving roller shafts 9 of rollers 8 as the housing moves downwardly along idler rollers 39 when the photoconductive chips are dispensed. Conveniently, the photoconductive chips are supported within I the housing between walls 36 and 38 by a plurality of corrugations or notches 46. It can be seen from viewing FIG. 1, that the lowermost photoconductive chip will be fed by magnetic rollers 8 from the housing onto the conveyor and that the housing will thanmove downwardly due to gravity, riding along idler rollers 30 until the next photoconductive chip comes in contact with magnetic rollers 8-which will then feed it from the housing.

Prior to use, the housing can be stored in an inner box 48 which fits over housing 32 as shown in FIG. 2 to protect the chips from the light. If desired, chamber 33', as shown in FIG. la, can be constructed to that both the housing and the inner box both are placed therein to supply photoconductive chips to the system. In this embodiment, inner box 48 is supported in a stationary position by ear so that the housing moves downwardly out of the inner box as the chips are dispensed.

The magazine also can have an outer box 50 for storage and shipping of the chips.

From the foregoing, the advantages of this invention are readily apparent. A simple magazine for storing photoconductive elements or chips has been provided from which a new set of chips may be dispensed onto a conveyor system of an electrophotographic apparatus. The electrophotographic apparatus is constructed with a portion of the device at an angle to the horizontal and including, in one embodiment, idler rollers perpendicular to that portion of the device for supporting the housing as the chips are dispensed. This permits the housing to move downwardly under the influence of gravity as the chips are dispensed to bring the next succeeding chip into contact with the magnetic feed rollers. N otches in the side walls of the housing are provided to receive the roller shafts of the magnetic rollers to move into the housing moves downward as I photoconductive chips are dispensed. In another embodiment,

the housing and inner box are both inserted in the apparatus and the inner box is held in stationary position as the photoconductive elements are dispensed from the housing and as the housing moves by gravity out of the inner box to bring the next succeeding chips into engagement with the conveyor rollers.

The invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. A magazine for storing and dispensing a stack of lightsensitive photoconductive elements seriatim onto a conveyor means in an electrophotographic apparatus, said magazine nected by an end wall; means for supporting said elements within said housing including corrugations formed in each of said pair of opposed side walls; and

slot defining means in each of said pair of opposed side walls for receiving a portion of said conveyor means as said elements are dispensed.

2. A magazine, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

an inner box positionable over said housing to protect said elements from the light, said inner box being moveable relative to said housing to facilitate removal of said plates from said housing by said conveyor means.

3. A magazine, as claimed in claim 2, further including:

an outer box positionable over said inner box and said housing for storage of housing and said elements.

4. A magazine for storing and dispensing a stack of lightsensitive photoconductive elements seriatim by gravity onto magnetic conveyor rollers rotatably mounted on shafts in an electrophotographic apparatus, said magazine comprising:

a generally U-shaped housing for supporting said elements,

said housinghaving a pair of opposed side walls interconnected by an end wall;

spaced grooves in each of said side walls for supporting said elements;

means defining a pair of spaced slots in each of said side walls for receiving said roller shafts as said chips are fed seriatim from said housing;

an inner box having two opposed pairs of interconnected side walls and an end wall, said inner box being extendable over said housing with said end wall thereof in juxtaposition with said end wall of said housing, said housing being moveable out of said inner box as said elements are fed therefrom by said magnetic rollers; and

an outer box having two opposed pairs of interconnecting side walls and an end wall, said outer box being positionable over said inner box and said housing with said end wall thereof opposite said end walls of said housing and said inner box for storing said elements.

5. In electrophotographic apparatus for sequentially forming toner images on a series of flat photoconductive elements the combination comprising: i

a series of electrophotographic stations for forming said toner images on said elements and for utilizing said images;

conveyor means for moving such elements along an operative path through said stations;

a magazine for storing and dispensing a stack of such elements seriatim onto said conveyor means, said magazine including:

1. a generally U-shaped housing for supporting said elements, said housing having a pair of opposed side walls interconnected by an end wall;

2. means for supporting said elements within said housing including corrugations formed in each of said pairof opposed side walls; and

3. slot defining means in each of said pair of opposed side walls for receiving a portion of said conveyor means as such elements are dispensed; and

means, located along said path, for receiving said magazine and supporting said magazine housing for movement towards said operative path;

said conveyor means including feed means, receivable in said slot defining means of said magazine housing, for

feeding elements out of said magazine housing and onto said operative path.

t t t 

1. A magazine for storing and dispensing a stack of lightsensitive photoconductive elements seriatim onto a conveyor means in an electrophotographic apparatus, said magazine comprising: a generally U-shaped housing for supporting said elements, said housing having a pair of opposed side walls interconnected by an end wall; means for supporting said elements within said housing including corrugations formed in each of said pair of opposed side walls; and slot defining means in each of said pair of opposed side walls for receiving a portion of said conveyor means as said elements are dispensed.
 2. A magazine, as claimed in claim 1, further including: an inner box positionable over said housing to protect said elements from the light, said inner box being moveable relative to said housing to facilitate removal of said plates from said housing by said conveyor means.
 2. means for supporting said elements within said housing including corrugations formed in each of said pair of opposed side walls; and
 3. A magazine, as claimed in claim 2, further including: an outer box positionable over said inner box and said housing for storage of housing and said elements.
 3. slot defining means in each of said pair of opposed side walls for receiving a portion of said conveyor means as such elements are dispensed; and means, located along said path, for receiving said magazine and supporting said magazine housing for movement towards said operative path; said conveyor means including feed means, receivable in said slot defining means of said magazine housing, for feeding elements out of said magazine housing and onto said operative path.
 4. A magazine for storing and dispensing a stack of light-sensitive photoconductive elements seriatim by gravity onto magnetic conveyor rollers rotatably mounted on shafts in an electrophotographic apparatus, said magazine comprising: a generally U-shaped housing for supporting said elements, said housing having a pair of opposed side walls interconnected by an end wall; spaced grooves in each of said side walls for supporting said elements; means defining a pair of spaced slots in each of said side walls for receiving said roller shafts as said chips are fed seriatim from said housing; an inner box having two opposed pairs of interconnected side walls and an end wall, said inner box being extendable over said housing with said end wall thereof in juxtaposition with said end wall of said housing, said housing being moveable out of said inner box as said elements are fed therefrom by said magnetic rollers; and an outer box having two opposed pairs of interconnecting side walls and an end wall, said outer box being posiTionable over said inner box and said housing with said end wall thereof opposite said end walls of said housing and said inner box for storing said elements.
 5. In electrophotographic apparatus for sequentially forming toner images on a series of flat photoconductive elements the combination comprising: a series of electrophotographic stations for forming said toner images on said elements and for utilizing said images; conveyor means for moving such elements along an operative path through said stations; a magazine for storing and dispensing a stack of such elements seriatim onto said conveyor means, said magazine including: 